Philadelphia to Albany

Maybe drink some beers of the Hudson Valley?

http://www.hudsonvalleybeertrail.com/category/breweries/

I am personally not familiar here but maybe @cavedave could provide some recommendations?

Cheers!

 

Around my general area, Mid Hudson Valley, I recommend Rushing Duck brewery's tap room, which is probably a bit off the track coming from Philly, but worth it, as a stop for samples and growler fills of some of the best beer of my area. Mill House Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie is a great spot for a meal and beers, my friends are the brewmasters. If you stay in New Paltz, my nearest town, you are literally under a mile from the Thruway exit 18, and have a choice of Bacchus with their own excellent beer and great tap list, Yard Owl for Belgian Inspired beer, Schatzi's for good German food and great tap list, Huckleberry for a great tap list, tons of great food choices, and you are nearby to Underground Cafe with a great tap list, and not far from Newburgh Brewery, classic spot w/good beers, and Mill House is just across the river from New Paltz.

North of here on the way to/not far from Saratoga the best breweries are Rare Form which is sort of/not really on the way, but worth a visit, and Common Roots which is north of Saratoga but not that far and also pretty good from what I hear (haven't been sad to say).

Funny I wasn't gonna do SPAC or any summer shows but just got an undated lawn tick with my donation to NPR and I think I am gonna hit SPAC now. If you stop in New Paltz you are about 1 1/2 - 2 hours from SPAC.

If you are looking to hit a bunch of good breweries, besides for above I can also recommend Captain Lawrence in Elmsford, Peekskill Brewery, and Sloop Brewing which is in Elizaville and a bit off your path for sure. Plan Bee probably won't be open to visits yet, but they are planning to open new location to the public, and if so they have excellent beer.

Anyway if it was me I would stay in New Paltz and hit the locals. I'd be happy to join you for a couple.

 

The Henry street taproom in Saratoga has a great selection. They have Hill Famrstead stuff from time to time. As does the Merry Monk next door which focuses mostly on Belgians. Schmaltz is in Clifton Park, they have a cool spot, and if your in to liquor, Yankee Distillery is right next door to it. They recently released a rye whiskey that was finished in Bourbon Barrels that had aged an imperial stout. It was quite tasty

 

If you're looking to hit up a good bottle shop try Westmere Beverage on Rt. 20.
when you're heading into the Albany area you have to get off at exit 24 from the Thruway to get onto the Northway. Instead of getting right onto the Northway after paying the toll you could take exit 1S to Western Ave/Rt 20. the highway ends about 1/2 mile, take a right and Westmere beverage will be on your left about a mile down the road. It's easy to find, and will be easy to get back to the Northway from there.

Have fun during that run. I'm only going to be able to make it to the Syracuse show..

 

As usual @cavedave is all over this one - Rushing Duck is terrific, Bacchus Brewpub has great brews/would be a great spot to grab food and Sloop is coming on fast as one of the best farm breweries in NY. Might I suggest an initial stop at Tired Hands (40 min north of philly) the only problem is that they do not open until noon and is not on your way (strictly speaking) from philly to SPAC. Captain Lawrence and Peekskill and could easily be paired together if you are planning to cross the Hudson. Other spots that I really dig in the Hudson Valley are ambulance brew house and highland coffee and ales. Check out their listings on beermenu's because these two spots regularly have grimm, hill farmstead, other half, barrier, finback, pipeworks and other northeast options that you may have a hard time getting a hold of in South Carolina.

Also...if you have never been to SPAC park in the trees near the natural water spigot across the street from the automobile museum. It is much more preferable to the gravel parking lot. Cheers and see you on Saturday!

 

Excellent post and recommends, I would like to point out one thing though that Highland Coffee and Ales is called Underground Coffee and Ales (the one I also made a mistake and called Underground Cafe) and it is indeed in Highland, one town over from New Paltz, and does indeed have a fantastic tap list almost always.

 

Minor correction here....Tired Hands is more west than north of Philly and is only 17 minutes away from the Mann Center. Fermentaria opens at noon, Brew Cafe at 4pm. I will be heading to the Ferm before the Wednesday show and it affords you the opportunity to take back roads to the Mann, avoiding 76 entirely.

 

A definite place to check out is Grand Cru Beer and Cheese Market. It is in Rhinebeck. They have 16 draft lines that you can drink there or fill growlers. Also they have tons of local and national hard to find beers that you can enjoy there or take home. The staff is educated very well about the selection they have. Plus the owner is from Pennsylvania so I'm sure that will spark up some great conversation.

 

Haven't been to the Mann so I can't comment, but you'll be ok at SPAC if you keep it in a solo cup.
Pretty much the same at any venue I've been to, keep it on the d/l in a cup and you'll be fine.

 

tired hands before the mann is essential

 

The Mann is like any other place - just don't be stupid and the cops/security will leave you alone.

 

Yes, Latham is closer to Troy than Albany.

On the same block as Rare Form is The Ruck which is a great craft beer bar with killer wings. And also around the corner is The Shop which is a newer gastropub.

http://www.getrucked.com/site/
http://www.theshoptroy.com/

 

We are doing Sat & Sun at SPAC and have drank the past 4 or so years in cups with no problems, both parked and walking around.